HR0800 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0800 LRB099 14413 MST 38511 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Allen Foster, Jr., who passed away on August 1, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Allen Foster, Jr. was born on February 6, 1959 in Chicago, the third child of the union of Jessie Mae (nee Wilson) and Allen Foster, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, As a child, Allen Foster, Jr. had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and loved to read the World Book Encyclopedia and he readily reported to his family that he was the "smartest" kid in the class; he graduated from Horace Mann Elementary School and South Shore High School in Chicago; he received his associate degree from Prairie State College; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Allen Foster, Jr. joined the United States Air Force, serving from 1976 to 1983; he was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, On December 19, 1979, while stationed at Keeler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, Allen Foster, Jr. accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior; he was called to the ministry in 1980; he was an avid student of the Bible and the great theologians; he was extremely well-read and an extraordinary preacher; and

WHEREAS, In his 30 years of congregational ministry, Allen Foster, Jr. served as associate minister at various churches, including Village Bible Church (Park Forest), Christ Temple Community Church (Gary, Indiana), Christ Temple Cathedral (Chicago), and First Baptist Church (Chicago); he joined Merrill Avenue Baptist Church in 1996, where he served as Sunday school teacher, evangelism and discipleship leader, Chairman of the Mission Department, and Divorce Care Leader; he also headed 2 missionary teams to England and Haiti; in 2009, he was ordained by the late Rev. Austin Smith, Jr. of Compassion Baptist Church (formally Merrill Avenue); while there, he served as an associate and interim pastor before being elected as senior pastor on December 8, 2013; he sincerely loved his church family and devoted himself to their care; and

WHEREAS, Allen Foster, Jr.'s keen knowledge of American politics, socio-economics, and world views, both inspired and challenged others to learn more about the world in which they lived; he was a political pundit to many; his lively commentary always gave sound perspective on many subjects; and

WHEREAS, Allen Foster, Jr. married Audrey Wesley on August 4, 1990; their children, Allen III, Jaime, and Mary were blessed with a devoted father; over the years, he and Audrey loved and cared for many others; and

WHEREAS, Allen Foster, Jr. was employed by Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company (Integrys) in Chicago from 1985 to 2014; he retired from the Gas Operation Department as Senior Service Specialist No. 1; he formed both loyal and lasting friendships in every area of his life; and

WHEREAS, Allen Foster, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; his grandfather, Jessie; and his aunt, Faynell; and

WHEREAS, Allen Foster, Jr. is survived by his wife, Audrey; his son, Allen III (and his mother, Patricia Foster Cox); his daughters, Jaime and Mary (Kenny); his siblings, Kim, Renee, Tanya (Kurtray), and Mark; his grandmother, Gertrude; his grandchildren, Antonio (A.J.), Jeremy, Amari, Allen, Aiden, and Ava; his brother-in-law, John (Kimberly); his mother-in-law, Maggie; his father-in-law, John; his aunts and uncles, Joann, Loretta, Debra, and Jerry; and his nieces and nephews, Justin, Kyle, Demi, Constance, Chanelle, Stephaney, Kyle, Dylan, Reagan, and Ryan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Rev. Allen Foster, Jr. and recognize his life, commitments, and achievements; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Allen Foster, Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.